Ethical questions in the treatment of subjects with dementia. Part I. Respecting autonomy: awareness, competence and behavioural disorders

C A Defanti; A Tiezzi; M Gasparini; M Gasperini; M Congedo; P Tiraboschi; D Tarquini; E Pucci; C Porteri; V Bonito; L Sacco; S Stefanini; L Borghi; L Colombi; N Marcello; O Zanetti; R Causarano; A Primavera; Bioethics and Palliative Care in Neurology Study Group of the Italian Society of Neurology

doi:10.1007/s10072-006-0825-x

Ethical questions in the treatment of subjects with dementia. Part I. Respecting autonomy: awareness, competence and behavioural disorders

Neurol Sci. 2007 Aug;28(4):216-31. doi: 10.1007/s10072-006-0825-x.

[Article in English, Italian]

Affiliation

¹ Centro Alzheimer, Ospedale Briolini, Gazzaniga (BG), and Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università di Genova, Italy. carlo.defanti@aliceposta.it

PMID: 17690856
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-006-0825-x

Abstract

The document deals with some ethical issues raised by the treatment of demented people. In particular the conceptual and empirical aspects of the assessment of awareness and competence of these patients are analysed, as well as the dilemmas related to the treatment of behavioral disorders.

MeSH terms

Cognition*
Dementia / psychology*
Dementia / therapy
Ethics, Medical*
Humans
Mental Competency*
Mental Disorders*
Personal Autonomy*
Self Concept